ALARM OVER THE MURDER OF RURAL PASTORALIST WOMEN IN KARGI, MARSABIT COUNTY

Thursday, 22 February 2024, Nairobi Kenya

The Defenders Coalition, Samburu Women Trust (SWT) and the Pastoralists People’s Initiative (PPI) condemns a series of attacks of pastoralist women leading to the death and serious injuries. The latest victim, of Margaret Aleya Eisimonte, a resident of Rongumo Clan in Kargi area, Marsabit County

Margaret Aleya Eisimonte tragically died on 18 February 2024 following a serious beating allegedly by a group of Morans as instructed by elders from the Rendille Community.

It is alleged that a traditional medicine man (Mganga) was invited to the Rongumo clan to identify witches in the Manyatta, who in turn gave a list of women  accusing them of the diabolic practices happening.

The pronouncement by the mganga, led to the brutal assault against Margaret Aleiya Esimonte by the Morans. Members of a nearby clan who learnt about the incident are then said to have responded by rushing  Aleiya Esimonte to a local hospital where she succumbed. She was buried on  20^th  February in Kargi Public Cemetery.

A second victim of the barbaric attack, Ms Wareheya Sahado, is said to be recuperating after receiving a barbaric beating targeting her private parts by the same morans. Although discharged from the hospital, she has to make several trips to the hospital for specialized care.

 Margaret Super, a woman human rights defender from Marsabit, has expressed the fear that more women are likely to be attacked and killed.

“We are shocked by this occurrence. This is murder and the murderers are walking free, and this is unacceptable. We do not know the number of women on that list by the Mganga and we fear that more women will be targeted for assault and murder just like Aleya.”

Margaret said that this is a strange incident that calls for the attention of all relevant agencies in Marsabit to bring the perpetrators to book.

Jane Meriwas, the Executive Director, Samburu Women Trust has described the incident as one of the many that remains unreported and the perpetrators walk scot free.

“We are concerned that this is a purely femicide issue because it is only women that are accused and targeted for alleged witchcraft. We are worried that if not stopped, the moran will come for the woman who survived the attack or even go for other women! We are not safe here!’ expressed Meriwas.

Kamau Ngugi in concerned killing of women is on the rise in Kenya and the authorities appear uncorned. Over 20 cases of femicide were recorded in 2024.

“This unfortunate incident highlights the pervasive nature of violence against women. The death of Aleya is an example of the price that women in poor rural settings pay for just being women. It must be condemned.”

Defenders Coalition calls on all agencies to heed the call by the Government Advisor on Gender issue Ms Chiggai to fight the creeping culture of killing women.

The Defenders Coalition strongly condemns these acts of untold violence against poor rural women in Marsabit and calls on:

1. President of the Republic of Kenya to publicly condemn violence against women in Kenya  pronounce itself to this concerning national tragedy and demand accountability:
2. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to thoroughly investigate the matter, arrest all perpetrators and ensure their prosecution;
3. The Inspector General of Police to guarantee the safety and security of rural women in Marsabit, specifically those from Rongumo Clan;
4. The Public to abhor such crimes,  report such occurrences to the relevant authority for accountability purposes and stand with the victims and survivors.

Signed

Kamau Ngugi – Executive Director, Defenders Coalition.

Jane Meriwas – Executive Director, Samburu Women Trust (SWT)

Margaret Super – Founder Pastoralists People’s Initiative (PPI)